Kyle Moore, a student at Lakeland High School, poses for a photo with U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Derek Hilbert, a recruiter out of Recruiting Sub-Station Howell, and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Gangemella, the executive officer of Recruiting Station Detroit. Photo from mcrc.marines.mil

Recruiting Station Detroit, on behalf of the U. S. Marine Corps, presented a Lakeland High School student with a $150,000 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship.

Kyle Moore, a student at the White Lake school, accepted the scholarship presented by Staff Sgt. Derek Hilbert, a Marine Corps recruiter out of Recruiting Sub-Station Howell, and Capt. Michael Gangemella, the executive officer of Recruiting Station Detroit, in front of an auditorium of students, family members and teachers.

“I was with my family on vacation over Christmas break when I received the telephone call telling me that I had been chosen for this scholarship,” said Moore.

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“I was absolutely speechless at first and then I could not stop smiling and thinking about the fact that I had really won. It was a dream come true for me.”

Moore was selected by Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, based on academic excellence, physical fitness and moral character.

“Kyle is a very determined young man,” said Hilbert. “His professionalism, maturity and natural leadership fit the qualities we look for in Marine Corps officers.”

Hilbert recruited Moore.

Moore will attend Norwich University and participate in the university’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program in Northfield, Vt. During the summer of his junior year, he will attend Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

“I look forward to his commissioning ceremony,” said Hilbert. “Although it comes after he’s completed school, it will mark the beginning of his Marine Corps career as a commissioned officer. I am interested in seeing what type of leader of Marines he becomes.”

Upon completion of his four-year degree in mechanical engineering, Moore will receive his commissioning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marines to pursue career opportunities that include pilots, ground combat officers or a variety of support jobs.